The Indian government has launched a program to replace all its subsidies on food and other essential commodities with cash payments. Due to India’s double-digit inflation rate, the real value of these payments will rapidly decline, further squeezing incomes.

The 15th anniversary of the WSWS is a milestone of immense significance for the international socialist movement. Over the course of a decade-and-a-half, the WSWS has provided, with unequalled accuracy and insight, a daily analysis of political and cultural events.

Yesterday’s strike and mass meeting underscored the determination of the union bureaucracy to suppress any opposition to its plans for a deal that will further undermine wages, conditions and public education.